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Date:         Mon, 17 Mar 2003 14:32:03 EST
Reply-To:     Oxroad@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Should I use Phosphate-free coolant??
Comments: To: alanncee@YAHOO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 3/17/2003 10:45:03 AM Pacific Standard Time, alanncee@YAHOO.COM writes:

<< It looks like the garage who did the work used green (Prestone?) coolant. >>

I believe there are some, or at least one phosphate free coolant that is actually green. With luck that's what you have in the bus.

But I would definately run the phosphate free coolant. to make sure it's in there I would change the fluid.

You'll find the phosphate free coolant at the VW dealer is about $12-$16 a gallon. Then you'll find relpacing the coolant an odd combination of raising the front of the vehicle and raising the idle. This will be a good initiation into the watercooled bus owner club.

The Bentley manual outines the fluid change. I think you can get most of the old fluid out by disconnecting the lowest hose on the water pump and the lowest hose on the radiator. Bentley suggests removing the engine tin sheild or covers that cover and protect the push rod tubes to get to the allen screws on each head. The allen screws removed allows the system to drain. Unfortunately removing the tin sheilds requires disconnecting the exhaust as the exhaust manifold bolts also hold the tin in place.

I wouldn't mess with the exhaust bolts as they are sure to sheer. But like I said I think you can get about all of the coolant out by disconnecting the bottom hose from the water pump.Hopefully someone else from the list will chime as to whether this method will give you a full unload of the old anti-freeze. It has always seemed to work for me.

Best Jeff 83.5 Westy LA,CA


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